Tempe and Globe will receive a total of $5.55 million for water infrastructure projects funded through Rep. Greg Stanton’s Arizona-focused $200 million environmental infrastructure authority. The investments will be administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under its Fiscal Year 2023 Work Plan.

Since the authorization of Stanton’s authority in 2020, more than $30.5 million in federal funds have been delivered to 20 water projects across Arizona, a press release explained.

“We listened to the concerns of city leaders across Arizona and we got to work delivering federal resources so communities can get more out of every drop of water,” Stanton said in the release. “I’m especially excited about the funds flowing to Tempe today, the first downpayment on a project that is going to improve our drought resilience at a critical time.”

Tempe will receive $3.45 million to expand and improve its Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility and groundwater recharge facilities — an important project for Tempe’s long-term drought resiliency. Stanton visited the facility in September 2022 with Assistant Secretary of the Army Michael Connor, who will oversee the project through the Corps, and Tempe’s Mayor Corey Woods.

The Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility was taken offline in 2010 due to the recession, reduction in wastewater into the city’s system and significant operational costs, the release added.  The project will allow the city to reactivate the plant to collect, treat, and utilize its reclaimed water while also adding resiliency to the system.

Rep. Stanton secured a $37.5 million authorization for this project in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act to allow the city to access these federal funds through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The funds announced on March 1 are the first installment of Corps funds for this project.

“The Kyrene Water Reclamation Plant is a critical puzzle piece to improve Tempe’s water security. Congressman Stanton’s leadership in securing resources for drought resilience ensures Tempe businesses and residents know that we are prepared and investing in our future,” Mayor Woods said in the release.

Additionally, the release stated Globe will receive $2.1 million to replace an important waterline and rehab the city’s water storage tanks, which are leaking due to age. The funds will also allow the city to conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate options to expand sewer service to support its future growth.